On Monday, April 24th, the college celebrated the 30th annual Paul S. Coleman Volunteer Service and Leadership Awards, in which students were recognized for their commitment to community service. A variety of students, who freely gave of their time and talents during their tenue on campus, were acknowledged for their leadership and tenacity at this special ceremony.
Each year at this event, two major awards are given in memory of the namesake: the Paul S. Coleman Senior Service Award for Outstanding Community Service and the Paul S. Coleman Senior Service Award for Outstanding Service Leadership. They are each presented to a senior student who embodies the spirit Coleman and who will accept the award on behalf of the community service and service leadership of the entire senior class.
In the 30th year of the celebration, Allison (Ally) Shea ’23, a finance and economics double major from Franklin, Mass., was the recipient for the Outstanding Service Leadership award, and Meredith Gebski ’23, a nursing major from Haverhill, Mass, received the Outstanding Community Service award.
Paul S. Coleman Senior Service Award for Outstanding Service Leadership: Ally Shea ’23
Since her freshman year, Ally Shea has been engaged on campus and within the broader community, while displaying a strong commitment to helping others.
“Ally serves with humility and creates authentic spaces for people to show up as they are, and she meets people where they are at. She is inclusive in that she invites everyone she meets into service and makes it easy for others to get involved,” said Nicole Lora, director of the Meelia Center. “No job is too big or small, she will do whatever is needed.”
Shea showed leadership in a variety of ways during her time on campus, both as a volunteer and a student athlete on the softball team. “I came to the Hilltop four years ago with an open mind and an eagerness to immerse myself in the Saint Anselm and Manchester community, learning all that I can. What I didn't know is that this school would take me far past the confines of campus, and into countless cities and towns, going far out of my comfort zone,” remarked Shea. “In those four years, I had the privilege of meeting so many unique and caring individuals through dozens of opportunities that the college provides.”
Shea continued, “Time and time again, I am always surprised by the kindness I am met with and just how much I learn from others! As we like to say on Road for Hope, ‘journey well and return better’ and after the last four years, I can positively say that I am leaving the Hilltop a far better person.”
Paul S. Coleman Senior Service Award for Outstanding Community Service: Meredith Gebski ’23
Also active on campus since her freshman year was Meredith Gebski, who made an indelible impression working in the Campus Ministry office.
Kat O’Loughin, the director of Campus Ministy, presented Gebski’s award retelling the story of her nomination by stating, “A peer who nominated Meredith for this award wrote, ‘Meredith is not the first to make a grand speech in front of a large group, but she is the first to sit and listen.’”
“The Coleman awards are always such a soul-filling night,” Gebski exclaimed. “There is nothing better and more Anselmian than recognizing a small group of students that have dedicated part of their time and college career to the betterment of others, our community, and the greater Manchester community.” She continued, “Receiving this award was a great honor that brough much for me to be grateful for and reflect on. I will forever be grateful for the opportunities that Saint Anselm College and the Office of Campus Ministry have provided me, especially the opportunities to form my heart, foster mutuality, and form relationships with those in our community.”
In addition, these departments and college offices recognized the following students for their outstanding dedication to the Saint Anselm community:
- Fr. Michael Custer, O.S.B Service (Admissions): Stefan Zwolinski ’23
- Donna M. Guimont Award (Athletics): Joanna Archambault ’23
- Campus Ministry Leader Award: Thomas Canuel ’24
- Sr. Pauline Lucier, C.S.C Award: Camille Desjardins ’23
- Annual Health Services Volunteer Award: Laura Abernathy ’23
- Dan Forbes College Access Program Award: Brett Mancini ‘23 and Cathleen Cassels ’23
- Dan Forbes Community Partnership Development Award: Kaitlin McCormick ’23 and Grace McConnell ’23
- Intercultural Center Volunteer Award: Kylie Lison ’23
- SEAL Organization Committee Award: Guy Parenteau ’23
- SEAL Office Award: Mary Hall ’23
- NHIOP Volunteer Award: Maeve McCallister ’23
- Vice President of Student Affairs Award: Chris DeMarkey ’23
Paul S. Coleman was a sociology professor at Saint Anselm College from 1975-1985 and served as a role model both professionally and personally. His caring and concern for others has made a lasting impression on campus and continues to impact the Saint Anselm community.
